Kate qualified as a Solicitor in September 2015. Initially specialising in litigation work, Kate joined the Court of Protection Team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in 2018 and has since focused solely on matters relating to property and affairs. Kate joined the Court of Protection team at JMW in August 2021 as an Associate.
Kate helps to manage the finances of people who have lost capacity to do so themselves, either because of an injury or due to a medical condition or those clients who have personal injury trusts in place. Kate has experience in assisting clients who have either received multi-million pound compensation awards or whose litigation claims are still going through the Court. Due to her background in litigation, Kate is well placed to provide pragmatic advice to clients and their families whose compensation claims are ongoing and have received large interim payments. Working on behalf of the professional Deputy, JMW Trust Corporation, Kate works closely with clients, litigation solicitors, case managers and therapists to ensure that funds are managed appropriately and advising on best interest decisions and any required applications to the Court of Protection. Kate works closely with Investment Managers where appropriate to ensure that the correct advice is being received.
Kate frequently assists clients with the purchase and adaptation of properties to meet their needs, working with conveyancing solicitors, Architects and Quantity Surveyors. Kate’s experience in this area ensures she is able to remove the stress and guide clients through what can be a stressful time.
Kate also advises lay deputies who are considering applications to the Court of Protection to request an appointment as a deputy, or those who have already been appointed but wish to make one off applications to Court, to request the Court’s authority to purchase, make a gift or request retrospective authority. Kate has experience making and responding to Statutory Will Applications, where the Court of Protection is asked to approve a Will on behalf of an individual who lacks capacity to make their own Will. These applications are complex and sensitive and can sadly become quite contested between family members.